Leah Mordecai eBook

“August 30.-This has been a memorable month
to me. Last night, in the starlight, as I walked
home with Leah from the Battery, she promised to marry
me; yes, actually to marry me! Said she was unhappy
at home-I wonder why-and would marry me in self-defence,
if from no other cause. A tear stood in her dark
eyes as she said, with stern, hoarse voice, ’If
you love me, Emile, truly love me, and will be faithful
to me, I will forsake all others and marry you.’
Then she made me swear it—­swear it there,
in the face of the blue heavens and the glittering
stars. I tremble when I think of my parents’
displeasure, but then I love the girl, and shall fulfil
my vow, even unto death. In a month I shall be
twenty-five years old, and before another birth-day
rolls around, after this one, I shall be a married
man-married to the girl I love, Leah Mordecai, the
Jewess. I wonder what the world will say.
But I don’t care; love knows no barriers.
When my plans are a little more defined, I shall mention
the matter seriously to my father. Mother will
not hear to it, I know. And then; if he is willing,
all well; if he is not willing, all well still.
I shall marry her.”

CHAPTER XIX.

Leah mordecai sat alone in the southern balcony of
her father’s house one night in this same memorable
August, the events of which were so fully recorded
in Emile’s diary-sat alone enjoying the warm
silver moonlight that flooded all the world about her-sat
alone, thinking, dreaming, fearing, vaguely hoping.
Suddenly the sound of her mother’s voice reached
her from an adjoining room, and arrested her attention.
Involuntarily she listened. “Yes, dear husband,
Leah is anxious to go-unhappy even, at the fear of
being denied.”

“You surprise me, Rebecca,” replied the
fond husband and father; “I never dreamed that
Leah desired to visit Europe. She has never mentioned
it to me.”

“No, nor will she ever. She fears your
displeasure, shrinks from betraying a desire to be
separated from you, even for a short period of time;
but still she longs to go. Ever since Bertha Levy
went to Berlin, she has cherished a secret desire
to go, too. You well know that music is the passion
of her soul, and Leah longs for culture which she
cannot obtain in this country.”

“Dear child!” exclaimed the father, “she
shall be gratified in her desires, and study in the
fatherland as long as she chooses. She has always
been a good, obedient, loving daughter, and deserves
to be rewarded.” Then he added, after a
moment’s pause, and with ill-concealed emotion,
“Yes, my daughter is always obedient and kind,
yet a shade too sober for one so young; but her mother
was always thoughtful, dear woman, and I suppose it’s
the child’s inheritance.” Mr. Mordecai
sighed. And Rebecca, discerning the drift of
his thought, recurred quickly to the subject, saying:

“Well, my husband, what arrangement can you
make for Leah’s going? Of course you cannot
accompany her.”